Transforming Education: Strategies for Student Success and Systemic Change

Welcome to our showcase of transformational change. Each case study below illustrates our commitment to creating more inclusive, equitable, and successful educational environments. Through strategic assessments, tailored support services, and comprehensive cultural transformations, we have empowered institutions to not only meet but exceed their goals of fostering student success and institutional growth. These narratives detail our approach to tackling complex challenges and demonstrate the sustainable impact we achieve in collaboration with our partners. Dive into each story to discover how we can bring similar changes to your institution, enhancing outcomes and nurturing future leaders.

From Judicial Affairs to Ethical Development: Transforming Student Conduct at San Jose State University

During my tenure at San José State University, the Office of Judicial Affairs was perceived as a punitive entity, feared by students and fragmented by uncoordinated processes. Initially operating under three separate judicial systems, university housing, student organizations, and the general university process, students often faced multiple trials for the same violation, without integrated communication or data management. My leadership facilitated a transformative shift from punitive discipline to an emphasis on education and personal accountability. We centralized the judicial processes into a single, cohesive system and implemented a unified database to eliminate duplicative procedures and improve reporting accuracy. Additionally, the restructured office proactively engaged with the student community through educational presentations in classes, orientation panels, and residence hall meetings, cultivating a campus culture focused on ethical development and informed decision-making.

Read More

Revitalizing the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at San José State University

Upon my arrival at San José State University, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was in dire straits, having been dismantled in 2002 when its dedicated funding was reallocated. As a vital pathway for low-income, first-generation, and historically disadvantaged students, the EOP had once been a model of success within the California State University System. Tasked with its revival, I undertook the comprehensive restoration of EOP's full spectrum of support services ranging from recruitment and pre-admission counseling to tutoring, academic advisement, and personal and career counseling.

This effort involved not only re-establishing funding but also enhancing the program's infrastructure to deliver high-impact services tailored to the needs of these students. The revitalized EOP not only restored essential support but expanded its scope to include financial aid follow-ups and special admissions, reinforcing the university's commitment to making higher education accessible and successful for its most vulnerable populations. By securing sustainable funding and implementing innovative strategies, the program significantly improved access, retention, and graduation rates, reestablishing it as a beacon of equity and inclusion in higher education.

Read More

Leading Change: Implementing the Anti-Racism & Inclusion Action Plan at West Valley College

In response to the murder of George Floyd and a nationwide racial reckoning, I was tasked by the president of West Valley College to develop the institution's first Anti-Racism & Inclusion Action Plan. This pivotal initiative, formally adopted by the Academic Senate, College Council, and Student Government, was designed to dismantle systemic racial disparities and embed anti-racist principles throughout the college.

My role involved mobilizing over 60 stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, and students, to collaborate on this transformative three-year plan. We established dedicated resource centers, revised curricular and training protocols to promote culturally responsive pedagogy, and redefined the institution's mission to commit to inclusivity explicitly. The plan not only fostered significant improvements in student engagement and equity but also solidified a campus-wide commitment to ongoing anti-racist efforts, making a lasting impact on the college's culture and operational approach.

Read More

Fostering Academic Success and Belonging for Historically Marginalized Students at San José State University

Prior to my tenure at San José State University, dedicated Black/African American and Latinx staff members formed task forces focused on student success programming and community building for their respective student groups. When I assumed my role, I was tasked with transforming these vibrant but informal initiatives into structured, brick-and-mortar Academic Success Centers for each group. My responsibilities included securing funding, guiding architectural planning, and overseeing the hiring process to ensure that the leadership of these centers reflected the communities they served.

These centers not only provided tailored academic support and cultural affirmation but also solidified the university's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. As a result, we saw marked improvements in retention rates and academic success, effectively creating a supportive and affirming space that cultivated a strong sense of belonging among historically marginalized students.

Read More